Santa Margherita, Italy.

(Photo by Cheryl-Anne Millsap)

Blue skies. Calm water. Warm sunshine, narrow lanes with cobblestones and brightly-painted doorways. An ancient castle. Oh, and it's just a short boat ride from Portofino.

Santa Margherita, especially in the off season, is a postcard view of the Ligurian region of Italy. The lush tropical plants and trees, old stone walls and vine-covered terraces, lure you into strolling along the narrow lanes and streets, coax you to climb the hill to take in the view of the bay, to visit the gardens and tour the cool,shadowy interior of the Basilica of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.

Santa Margherita is worth exploring, especially when the crowds depart after the end of summer holiday. We visited in early October, when the sun was still hot but the tourists were gone and we had the lovely little town to ourselves.

Lucca, Italy: Today's Travel Photo

(Photos by Cheryl-Anne Millsap)

We had our choice. While in Italy, we could head out for a day in Pisa, following in the footsteps of most tourists traveling through Tuscany, guidebooks in hand, marking the Leaning Tower off the bucket list. Or, we could take the train to the small town of Lucca. We chose the latter.

Lucca is worth seeing; beautiful, full of culture, history and good food. After entering the city gate, we strolled along the path on top of the 16th Century wall that still surrounds the city and stopped to soak up the sun and sights at the Piazza del Anfiteatro Romano. The Piazza is the site of an ancient Roman amphitheater and is still a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists.

Oh, and for Opera lovers, Lucca is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini. Are you humming Nessun dorma now? I am...

Our Lady of the Vines: Florence, Italy

(Photo by Cheryl-Anne Millsap)



The romantic stereotype of Italy is that everywhere you look, you will find something beautiful. Who am I to argue?

In Florence, after touring the Scuola del Cuoio, the school of traditional Florentine leatherwork founded after WWII to give orphans a means of learning a trade, we stepped out into the walled courtyard and parking lot at the rear of the building, making our way back to the square. Glancing over as we walked past, I noticed a statue lying on its side. The beautiful figure was half covered in the scarlet leaves of the vines that were cascading over the wall. It was eerily beautiful. And romantic. And perfectly Italian in every way.